Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge

Welcome to Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge located near Big Pine Key, Florida.

Refuge History: In 1938, with the intention of protecting the habitat of great white herons and other forms of wildlife, Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge was established. There was a time when the feathered hat trade almost drove the Great White Heron to extinction but like the American Alligator and Bald Eagle, it has managed to make a comeback.

Wildlife: The refuge consists of open ocean and scattered islands of hardwood hammock and mangroves and helps protect the home of numerous wild critters including Great White Herons, three species of sea turtles, piping plovers, bald eagles, and white-crowned pigeons. Please treat their home with respect.

This refuge can only be accessed by boat and boasts some of the best flats fishing on the planet. Come on out and have a blast!